A new Festival will be launched across Kirklees this summer, with a mix of venue-based, outdoor and digital events. Sangam Festival: A Celebration of South Asian Heritage has secured support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants to run during South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM): 18 July – 17 August 2021.
The Festival will include heritage, arts and cultural events, including talks and trails on the history of textiles and mill workers in the area; workshops exploring family history; art and photography exhibitions; film screenings; dance and music performance from Bollywood brass bands to classical Qawalli inspired by Sufi poetry. Some events will be delivered in partnership with other local festivals, community organisations and educational facilities.
The programme of events will be promoted by Communities Together’s sister organisation Radio Sangam (www.radiosangam.co.uk), the most followed South Asian community radio station in the UK, broadcasting 24/7, 365 days a year in Urdu, Punjabi, Sylheti, Arabic, Gujarati and English.
The project will provide a much-needed opportunity for the local community to come together to enjoy positive, celebratory activities with family and friends, following a challenging year. It will also provide vital new commissions for freelance artists and arts organisers, boost the local economy and increase the organisational resilience of Communities Together. Events will follow strict government guidelines, with Covid safety as the number one priority, and some activities will be held online.
Qaisar Mahmood, CEO of Communities Together and Radio Sangam, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding to support the delivery of Sangam Festival, thanks to National Lottery players, and we’re grateful to the Heritage Fund and Arts Council England for the support. We have an exciting programme planned and look forward to engaging with people across the whole of Kirklees to celebrate all that is positive about South Asian heritage, arts and culture.”
